Skill Level 2

Semroc Orbital Transport Rocket Kit

Kit Specifications:

Skill Level 2: Some experience recommended
Length: 23" (54.8 cm)
Diameter: .976" (2.5 cm)
Motor Mount Size: 18mm diameter
Weight (without motor): 2.6 oz (75 g)
Recovery Method: Glider/12" Plastic Parachute

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Semroc Orbital Transport Rocket Kit

P/N:07405
Price: $28.50

Sorry, Back-ordered
(07/10/11)

Make it a Starter Set!

Add items below to get everything you need for a first launch of your rocket!

Semroc Orbital Transport- 18mm Motor Choices Estimated Altitude Predictions (generated using RockSim)
Please click on the motor links below to find pricing and any necessary hardware for using the motors.
Motor Used	Manufacturer	Comments	Altitude Feet (Meters)	Motor Type
B6-4	Quest	First flight	200 feet (60.96 m)	Single Use
C6-5	Quest	Great Choice	400 feet (121.92 m)	Single Use
See the video below for help in selecting rocket motors. Rocket motors are sold separately from the kit. If you are unsure which one to pick, start with the one recommended for the First Flight, and then another for a more impressive launch. Most motors listed in this chart are available through Apogee Components. For other motors that are not listed here, download the RockSim file to see if it will work in this rocket kit. See also Technical Publication #28 for guidance on selecting appropriate rocket engines other than those listed in this chart. If you don't already have Technical Publication #28, give us a call, and we'll be happy to let you download it free (you have to ask though).

Semroc Orbital Transport is a Retro Blast to the Future (Now the Past)

One of the coolest rockets of all time is back, and it's the same as it ever was, only better! We have to admit, this is one of our all-time favorite kits. It's got so much detail, so many parts, and flies so good, it's impossible for your fleet to be complete without an Orbital Transport. The glider spends so much time in the air, you might think Estes originally designed it for competition. Semroc has updated it but has stayed faithful to the original, so much so that if you saw one without decals, you probably couldn't tell the difference.
From the 1969 Estes catalog: "Spectacular in flight and a true show model on the ground, the Orbital Transport is the launch vehicle of the 80's. Based on the latest proposals for a reusable air breathing (scramjet) booster for orbital vehicles, the Transport is an exciting experience to build and fly. The Transport itself lifts off under rocket power. At ejection the "re-entry vehicle" detaches and glides back to earth. The booster returns by parachute. Kit comes complete with colorful decals."
This rocket is sure to catch the eye of everyone that looks at it. It has a lot of detail and great decal graphics. If you're like us, you'll day dream for hours about what it would be like to ride this ship into orbit.

What Makes this Kit a Skill Level 2 Build?
Semroc calls the Orbital Transport a skill level 1 kit, but c'mon. There's a lot more work and care that goes into this than our Avion. It is easy for a serious modeler but we recommend building at least two other rockets with balsa fins before you take the dive into this kit.

Kit Features
Balsa Nose Cones—The main cone is a delightfully long and sleek design that puts a lot of today's nose cones to shame. Both are precision manufactured and pre-sanded to a smooth finish. The beauty of balsa is that you can hollow these nose cones out for truly phenomenal performance.
Lots-o-Body Tubes—Fine spirals make this kit a quick finish. These are top-quality pieces.
Laser-cut Balsa Fins—No more "Orbital Transport Hand Cramp". Here's where current technology makes a huge difference. These fins are excellent quality, perfectly cut, and an accurate reproduction of the original.
Modern Recovery System—Say hello to Kevlar and elastic and goodbye to the old rubber band. This is another serious upgrade from the original. The lightweight plastic parachute is performance-oriented and improves visibility during recovery and on the ground. Kids scream with delight when the Orbital Transport lands. It's like being transported back to when you were a kid.
Decals—One of the truly great features of the original Orbital Transport, and the thing that really made the rocket was the incredible waterslide decals. That's still true today; these are beautiful and high quality decals.

Tools needed to assemble this rocket kit:

Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Masking Tape
Hobby Knife
Wood Glue or White Glue (or use epoxy with the 29mm mount)

To Launch This Rocket Kit, You'll Also Need:

Rocket Motors (Not included with this kit - See the motor selection above)
Launch Pad (see below for suggestions) & Launch Controller (Not included with this kit)
Recovery Wadding - Disposable | Reusable

Frequently Asked Questions about the Orbital Transport kit:

Q. What launch pad should I use to launch this rocket kit?

A. Since this is a big rocket, you'll need very stable launch pad. We offer the Aerotech Mantis Launch Pad and the Estes Porta Pad-E.

Q. What launch controller can I use to ignite the motors?

A. We offer two different controllers that can be used for mid and high-power size rockets. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

Q. I need help selecting motors. What should I do? Can you teach me how to select them myself?

A. Watch this YouTube video - How to Select Model Rocket Engines

We encourage you to learn the proper motor selection technique. Please watch our YouTube video that will walk you step-by-step through the process

To see how the Semroc Orbital Transport rocket looks and performs with each motor configuration, download the FREE RockSim design file (click here). This file can be opened with the FREE demo version of RockSim. Both Windows and Macintosh versions are available.

What is a RockSim Design file?

The RockSim software gives you a lot of information about the flight characteristics of this rocket: how high, how fast, where it will land, how will it react to wind, etc. The "design file" is intended to save you time. All the parameters (size, shape, weight, fin design, etc.) of this rocket have already been entered into the RockSim program, and saved as an electronic database file. You can just open it up in your copy of RockSim and start loading different rocket motors to run launch simulations. It's fun and educational to see the rocket zoom skyward, even before you built it. For more information about RockSim and to download a FREE 30-day demo version, click here.

Related Items and Optional Accessories That Go Great With This Kit:

Rocket Motors

This is a reminder that this kit does not come with rocket motors. See the chart at the top of this page to see which motors will work in this particular rocket kit.

Model Rocketry Construction Tools

Find essentials for the construction of model rockets here. We currently have hobby knives, replacement blades and tube & fin marking guides.

AltimeterOne

See how high your rocket flew! This is the one altimeter you'll use in all your rockets because it does not require a separate payload bay. It is far more durable than any other altimeter because it is encased in ABS-plastic. It also is the first inexpensive altimeter to have a LCD screen that displays the altitude that the rocket reached during flight. Better get two, because your friends are going to steal this out of your range-box!

Sunward Nomex Ground Cover Blanket

Provide a bit extra fire protection to the grass under the launch pad with the 5-by-5 foot nomex blanket.

Epoxy Clay

While it has a 1,001 uses around the house, it works great on rockets to make super-strong fillets where the fins attach to the rocket. Better than regular epoxy because it stays in place and doesn't ooze all over the rocket. So you can get perfect fillets on all your fins, without having to do them one at a time.

Model Rocket Design and Construction

This 328-page book contains a gold-mine of information on building model rockets. When you get this book in your hands and start flipping through the pages, the very first thing you'll notice is that it is stuffed full of illustrations and pictures. The reason for this is that pictures is the perfect way to make complex subjects easier to understand. Even youngsters will be able to grasp the concepts in this book because of all the illustrations. Because of this, the book makes a great gift for your student that has an interest in rocketry.

Rocket Scientist Wings

Show others that you indeed are a true rocket scientist by wearing this classy lapel pin. Not only is it a statement about your qualifications, but you can use it to show your generosity and appreciation by removing the pin from your jacket, and awarding it to some deserving young rocketeer when they complete a magnificent launch. Can you see it now? They'll be beaming from ear-to-ear from receiving your recognition, and you'll have earned a warm spot in their heart.

What is expected when you launch your model rocket?

Are you new to rocketry? Do you think you know what happens when you launch your rocket? Now you can learn about the events that occur as your rocket is launched into the air. So when you launch your rocket, you'll be prepared and you'll be able to show off your knowledge to observers watching your rocket. This article also gives you links to other references that will give you even more background information about rocketry, so you can become a true rocket scientist and expert

Actual Customer Comment:
"The website is very user friendly and easy to navigate. I like the new format for searching for rocket supplies. I also love the fact that you give descriptions of what nose cones, body tubes, etc are used for. It has greatly helped me to understand." -- S. Sanchez